The Work and the Glory, is directed by Russ Holt, who introduces
Joseph Smith, Jr., the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints (the LDS or Mormon Church), to his viewing audience
through a brilliant means�historical fiction. This combination works
well for fictional books cast in a true historical setting, so why not
Joseph Smith? For students of Mormonism, though, The Work and the Glory
leaves serious questions unanswered about Smith's history where hard
evidence contradicts the film. Alas, Holt overcomes this by portraying
Smith in the least controversial light and blocking his audience's
access to Smith's most controversial side. In this vein, the film
protects Smith, but the writers certainly must know of the nine variations
in Smith's 1820 First Vision and likewise his bedroom visit by Moroni
(or was it Nephi, as originally published?).

The drama begins with Joseph Smith, Junior's new neighbors, the Steed
family (a fictional family), who moved to Palmyra, New York in 1826. The
Steeds hire Joseph and his brother Hyrum as laborers on their newly
purchased land. Smith's bad reputation as a story-teller draws teasing
from town folks about his purported visions: �got that gold Bible
yet?... what does that angel look like?... do you think angels go around
telling people where to find buried treasure?�

The Steed family's middle brother, Nathan, favors Joseph and stands
against the town folks by inquiring about his �gold bible.� Joseph
tells his story, which matches the Mormon scripture version, about his
confusion over joining churches. He urges Nathan to hear him with tender
words as he rehearses the revival story when, as he says, �I was about
14.� This is where director Holt takes liberty, since the oldest
available record says that Smith was 15 and he also once wrote that he was
16.

Christian denominations get no charity from Smith, who vilifies them as
fighting. In one instance, Smith makes a (fictitious) Christian preacher
say, �The Bible says God has already decided on who will be saved, so I
admonish each of you to search your hearts to see if God has elected you.�
On that note a man in the service shouts to the preacher that he is
preaching false doctrine. Truly there is no historical record for this
incident, so where did the writers get it?

Smith continues telling Nathan about his doubts, �I wondered who of
all these parties were right? Or are they all wrong together? If anyone of
them be right, which is it? And how can I know it?� This is directly
quoted from modern Mormon scripture as is the subsequent scenes where
Smith encounters a bright light after prayer in the woods. With interest
Nathan questions Smith on the two beings that appeared in this light.

Joseph summarizes, �I saw God, Nathan, and I saw his Son Jesus
Christ, I know how that must sound to you, but I say again I saw God the
Father and I saw his Son.� Curious Nathan responds, �What did they
look like?� Smith continued describing them as glorious humanoids but
wraps it up with the stern warning that these beings forbade him to join
the churches.

Nathan becomes a believer in Smith and his Book of Mormon. The scenes
switch to Nathan's girlfriend, Lydia, who struggles with this idea, but
later converts too. This film portrays Joseph to be a noble, hardworking
man and dedicated to his only wife, Emma. On April 6, 1830 the church is
restored and begins growing through conversion and baptism. It's a �feel
good� movie designed to create affinity with Smith.

The Work and the Glory is based upon a series of novels by the
same name. Holt drew his talent base from Mormon actors in a number of
television sitcoms and a few films. This is a must see movie for any
student of Mormonism to evaluate the character of Joseph Smith (according
to the Mormon church), since his character can never be altered even in a
�fictional film.� The film, however, is not receiving high marks by
other reviewers. It even scored poorly in the Mormon Church's own
newspaper, the Deseret News, which gave it a 2.5 out of 4 in their
review.